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It was the last day of school for Lucia, and she would soon be considered a senior. The clock was ticking making her leg bounce anxiously, only an hour of school left before she would be free of all school duties for three months. Lucia couldn't wait to spend the summer with her grandparents and two older brothers in Lodi, Italy.
Lucia's parents were originally from Italy and were the full blown Italian family that you think of when you think, Italian. However, when her dad got a job offer over in Philadelphia, PA they made the executative decision to move to the U.S.
Lucia's parents wanted her brothers and herself to spend time with their grandparents; hence, the idea of staying the whole summer began when she was 10. Now Lucia was 17 and almost an adult, getting ready to enter her senior year and apply to colleges.
Lucia is snapped out of her thoughts when her English teacher, Mrs. Andrews clears her voice loudly to get her attention. Lucia bites her lip in embarrassment as a few of her classmates snicker causing her to shoot a few of them dirty looks.
"As many of you know, every year I assign a project for the rising senior class to complete over the summer", Mrs. Andrews pauses looking around at the class.
"And this year I decided to spice it up a bit. I have decided to assign you pen pals from all over the world", she pauses once again smiling at the class.
A few groans and moans escape Lucia's classmates obviously annoyed at the thought of having to write to someone from across the world. However, Lucia's ears perked up at the idea of getting to know someone from another country. It would be really interesting and besides Lucia loved hand written letters. She thought they were very sentimental.
Isabella, a snarky, red headed girl that was at the top of Lucia's class cleared her voice to get the teachers attention. Mrs. Andrews quietly sighs to herself knowing that Isabella is about to ask a million questions about the project.
"Yes, Miss. Matthews?"
"I was wondering what would be the point of this project?", she questions attitude laced within her words.
"Ahh, I'm glad you asked. The point of talking to someone from a different country is to learn their outlook on life. I want you to get to know them inside and out. You have a three months to do this, so I don't want to hear any excuses. I would like you to write me a five to seven page report on who/what influenced them the most growing up and compare it to your own upbringing", she finishes.
Again Lucia's class groans which causes Mrs. Andrews to hush everyone. Lucia looks over to her best friend, Annie giving her a 'what do you think' look. Annie shrugs back at her best friend signaling she has no idea what to think about the project.
Lucia raises her hand to ask a question about the project. Mrs. Andrews nods her head yes that she could ask her question.
"I go to Italy every summer. Will that affect the project or anything?", Lucia nervously asks. She really wanted to be able to still parciptate in the project.
"Oh you will be fine, Miss. Serra. You will just have to use the address of the place you will be staying at in Italy".
A sigh of relief leaves Lucia's pink lips. She smiles warmly at her teacher who returns a just as warm smile back. For the remainder of the class a few other students raise their hands to ask questions about the project and when they would be receiving their pen pals. Mrs. Andrews explains she will be randomly giving everyone a envelope after class of the person they are assigned to.
Lucia grows even more anxious as the clock read three minutes until the dismissal of class. She was excited to see would she would end up getting. Lucia was hoping she would get someone from England, she always adored their accents. Finally, the bell rings indicating that class is over.
Lucia quickly bounces up from her sit rushing to get in line behind her classmates. Annie quickly follows behind Lucia, she was curious to why Lucia was so excited.
"Psst", Annia whispers poking her best friends back.
"What?", Lucia whisper/yells back keeping her eye contact on Mrs. Andrews. She was fourth in line.
"Why are you rushing?", Annie laughs with confusion.
"Cuz, I wanna get someone good. Who knows I can make a new friend?", Lucia shrugs.
Annie lightly shakes her head at Lucia thinking the exact opposite, that this 'project' is going to be the complete death of her. It is Lucia's time to receive her envelope. She graceful takes it from Mrs. Andrews thanking her before quickly scurrying out of the classroom. Lucia awaits her best friend, so they could open their envelopes at the same time.
Shortly, Annie is reunited with Lucia and on the count of three they decide they will open their letters. Lucia excitedly opens her envelope to reveal her pen pals name. It reads...
Timothée Chalamet Via Bottesini 4, 26013 Crema, Italy
Lucia's mouth drops open in shock. No freaking way was she reading the address right she thought.
"I got a girl in Canada", Annie excitedly says. "Who did you get?"
"I got a boy, in Crema..", she says flabbergasted. "That's only like 20 minutes from Lodi." Lucia says looking down at the name written. She couldn't help but wonder if he was as dreamy as his name sounded.
"No way", Annie says shocked. She quickly grabs the envelope out of Lucia's hand to see the address for herself. "You can literally hangout with the kid if you want to", she teases.
Lucia remains silent still looking down at the letter. "Maybe I should ask Mrs. Andrews for someone else? It's technically not fair, right?"
"Hell no!", Annie scolds her. "Are you crazy? He could be the love of your life! Besides it would be a lot easier to actually talk to the him than write letters."
"Oh gosh", Lucia rolls her eyes at her friends native behavior. "No way would that ever happen", she scoffs beginning to walk towards her locker.
"What do you mean? You wouldn't meet him in person?"
"No, I would definitely want to meet him in person. Just the whole love of my life?", she air quotes Annie. "That just isn't real life. Maybe if I was in a movie", she laughs.
"Hey, you knew know Luc", she shrugs. "Anything is possible. I'm just glad you decided to keep him as your pen pal."
"Yeah me too", Lucia says trailing off into a deep thought. She couldn't help but think maybe they would fall in love? No, that was ridiculous to think...
